It's flying first class – but not as you know it. With a Six Senses Spa, a fitness room and even a children's playroom staffed by dedicated nannies, Etihad's glamorous new first-class lounge, which opened its doors to passengers last night at Abu Dhabi's Terminal 3, is unlike anything you've seen before.
Destinations of the World News took a sneak peek inside the 1,700 square-metre lounge before it opened to the first travellers, who can now make use of a dedicated first-class entrance and a lavish check in counter, where smartly-dressed porters wait to assist with bags.
After passing though an exclusive passport control counter, travellers are metres from the lounge entrance, which is accessible via an elevator. But those attempting to sneak in can forget it – all guests are checked for eligibility downstairs before they take the elevator to the lounge, where upon arrival, they are greeted by name.
Developed after consulting with frequent fliers, Etihad Airways' chief executive officer Peter Baumgartner described the lounge as the airline's "jewel in the crown", inspired by the world-class hospitality and service of legendary hotels, such as Claridge's, The Ritz-Carlton and Mandarin Oriental.
With 16 different zones, the lounge has a private concierge desk (should you need a dinner reservation or an appointment scheduled), and opens out to a fine-dining area where the tasting menu includes bite-sized Black Aberdeen Angus beef sliders on freshly toasted brioche and caramelised onions, and – in keeping with the local element – a delicate sphere of camel-milk panna cotta, sprinkled with candied kumquat and mango powder. To highlight the carrier's home town, a five-course Emirati tasting menu has been developed by chefs from Mezlai, the Arabic restaurant at the opulent Emirates Palace Hotel.
At the sculptural bar, which overlooks the airport, passengers can imbibe artisanal cocktails curated by London-based drinks consultancy Fluid Movement, who are deadly serious about their craft, using sous vide methods and barrel-ageing negronis to developing creations inspired by Etihad’s most popular destinations. The "Los Angeles", served in a high-ball, melds homemade rice milk and tequila with cacao nib and chili liqueur, and arrives topped by a mound of fairy floss (yes, there is an actual fairy floss machine).
Judging by the feedback from first-class travellers, it appears health is front of mind, which has resulted in a fitness room fitted with Technogym treadmills and cross trainers, alongside a Six Senses Spa and Style & Shave area where guests can enjoy complimentary express treatments, from a manicure at the nail bar to a wet shave. And those that need some Zen before their journey can sink into sumptuous leather Poltrona Frau leather recliners in the Relax & Recline area – where the ambient sound adjusts to suit the number of guests and 27 individual screens display soothing videos.
The cherry on top? While another VIP area exists within the lounge proper – allocated to certain passengers at the airline's discretion – the pièce de résistance is a private suite dedicated to guests travelling in the airline’s private three-room cabin suite, The Residence (à la Nicole Kidman). Staffed by a Savoy-trained butler in full regalia, the private lounge-within-a-lounge is more hotel suite than waiting area, with an spacious living area, separate prayer room, a large bathroom with a shower and a dining table where gastronomic offerings are entirely bespoke to suit whims and fancies.
Frequent fliers will notice Etihad's branding subtly implemented into the design, from geometric wall dividers to the leather used on lounges, with the aim being to "perfectly mirror Etihad Airways' evolution into the best airline in the world," according to Baumgartner.
"This is not just a lounge but the ultimate airline hospitality experience," he says.